The Traitor's Crux (The Dark Powers Book 1)

by Jessica Prather

  His pointed gaze doesn’t move up again. After a second he says, “We’re having a camp meeting about saving Harlow. We’ll do what we can to save your family too.”

  “Let me help,” I beg.

  His jaw tightens, “Look, we talked as a group and the only reason why I’m letting you out, is because you’re coming to the White House with us to break Harlow and the rest of the prisoners free. We need your powers—they’re stronger than ours, they’re the only chance we have. We did a tracking spell so that we can see your every move. You’ll be monitored twenty-four seven. Anything suspicious and you end up back here, do you understand?”

  I nod quickly, excitement welling inside me. We’re doing it. We’re going to break Eli free. “Thank you!”

  “Don’t thank me. Just prove to me that you’re good for something,” he whispers, coming up to the barrier and setting his palm against its threshold. He closes his eyes in concentration as the barrier begins to tremble.

  I stand silently as it flashes, then comes apart. Bryce opens his eyes, peering back at me. “You’re free to go,” he says quietly.

  “Bryce—”

  He doesn’t smile as he steps aside to allow me to pass, “Don’t think this changes anything.”

  “Can I at least try?” I want so desperately for him to say yes, for him to grab me, to hold me close. Instead, he stays firmly planted, a crease in his brow and vague interest in his eyes. I continue, “I can tell you what Reed has planned for this camp. I’ll tell you everything I know.”

  27 I SIT IN THE OFFICE chair across from Bryce as he leans on his desk, listening quietly. I tell him everything I know, everything I should have said from the moment I set foot in camp. When I’m finished, he exhales sharply and rocks back in his seat. “Wow… I—I can’t believe it. There’s really more of you… spies?”

  “I was a spy,” I correct, “And yes. Just one from what I’m aware. I told Harlow before…”

  “And you don’t have any idea who it could be?”

  “No,” I admit, “But can’t the security team find out something?”

  He chews on his lip, lost deep in thought, “It’s not that simple. There hasn’t been any suspicious activity at all… whoever this is, they’ve been staying on the down low for a while now. I’ll look in Harlow’s office and see… if anyone figured out anything, it’d be her.”

  I wring my hands, butterflies in my stomach, “So, tell me our plan. How are we going to save her?”

  “Not our plan. My plan,” he says firmly, “You aren’t coming, remember?”

  “Come on, Bryce! Don’t you think I owe it to her to help out? Besides, my brother and my mom are there… I have to do something. I can’t just sit idly by!”

  “No,” he says, walking to the door and holding it open. “Now go clean up before the meeting tonight. No offense, but your comment about killing bugs wasn’t that far of a stretch.”

  “But—”

  “Go.”

  I kick the wall furiously as the door clasps shut behind me, jumping when I realize I’m not the only one in the room. Julie the secretary snickers as I shove past, “Bye little angry jailbird!”

  ***

  WHEN JAY KNOCKS ON THE door to escort me to the meeting, I’m showered, freshly clothed, and still childishly annoyed at Bryce.

  The room is swarming with bodies as Jay and I enter the cafeteria, the seats already completely filled with nervous onlookers. Jay and I stand at the edge of the room, tucked against the wall. I see Delia and Tess in the crowd, watching me with grim expressions. I’ve lost everyone’s trust—they all know the terrible things I did.

  The door opens and Bryce comes sweeping in, a determined energy to his face. He trots straight past me, eyes stubbornly directed ahead. The conversation falters as everyone’s eyes anxiously follow one of their leaders. I hear a few whispers, mentions of Harlow’s name. I stare ahead, biting my lip.

  At the podium up front, Bryce waits patiently, looking around at all the faces until the noise dies completely. His face looks different tonight, wearing an unusual scowl, his lips pursed with worry. He avoids my gaze completely, looking everywhere but me.

  The traitor.

  “I want to thank you all for being here tonight. I apologize that it’s so late, however, we have a very important safety issue at risk that we all need to discuss. Since we’re getting close to dinner time, I’ll keep it short.”

  The room is eerily silent, all eyes glued to the front. Bryce clears his throat and continues, “My friends, a source has told me that there has been more than one person associating with Reed in this camp.” Many heads swivel in my direction as Bryce carries on, “All suspicious behavior needs to be reported immediately. Failure to do so means that you’re endangering the camp, and you will be punished accordingly.”

  He pauses, fingers dancing nervously on the edge of the podium, “For those of you that are unaware, there was a recent situation where Harlow was handed over to the President. We’ve learned from an inside source about Reed’s plans. Soon, I fear he’ll be coming for us too.”

  I close my eyes, fighting the sting of his words, the truth behind them. The audience begins to buzz loudly with worry.

  “So, what are you going to do?” A man’s voice rings through the crowd.

  I cross my arms, biting my lip. I have to be calm. I need to prove myself, to show that I can do this. I can redeem myself and this camp. Unfortunately, there’s only one way we can surely win. We have to fight fire with fire. We have to defeat Reed. Judging by the worried faces of the crowd, it looks like they all know it too.

  Bryce’s face reveals the fear we’re all feeling. He’s just as worried as we are. Without Harlow, he has no one to make decisions with. He’s all alone, left with all these people to take care of and look after. He’s afraid of failure.

  “We have to fight. It’s the only way,” He admits nervously.

  A woman yells out, her voice shrill with fear, “We have children! You expect us to fight? Reed, of all people? He has the entire country on his side. There’s no way we can win!”

  “I know it’s scary. But he will not stop until he gets us, that’s been confirmed. All those things he did, the people he used and destroyed? Alex? Harlow? It’s a game to him. He’s coming for us; he’s trying to lure us out. And I think that we need to fight back. We cannot let him do this to us, to our people. Open your eyes. It’s our turn to win!” Bryce says, furiously. “I understand that we have families, children, the elderly all in this camp, that’s why I’m asking strictly on a volunteer basis. If you believe in this fight. If you want freedom, then please take a stand with us.”

  Out of the corner of my eye, I see Delia’s head turn my way. I catch her gaze for a brief second before she rips her brown eyes away to the floor.

  Next to me, Jay waves his hand in the air to capture Bryce’s attention. “Sign me up!” He volunteers.

  “Thanks, Jay!” This time Bryce acknowledges him, looking right past me, determined to ignore my presence. “Anyone—”

  “I’ll fight too.” He’s interrupted by Benson of all people, who, despite volunteering for the cause, doesn’t look like he gives a single care in the world.

  Slowly, people begin rising out of their seats. I catch eye contact with both Tess and Delia as they stand to volunteer. A few rows behind them, Kenzie rises, sweeping her long brown hair behind her shoulder as she does so. There are about a dozen people, which isn’t much, but it’s at least something.

  Bryce is visibly pleased, a smile in his eyes as he proudly takes in his new army, “Thank you for all of you volunteers. We will be meeting at eight A.M. sharp tomorrow morning to discuss strategy. Don’t be late.”

  His eyes fall on me with the last, unspoken warning. I hear it loud and clear. Don’t you dare try anything.

  28 I TAKE EXTRA CARE TO wash my hair the next morning, massaging my scalp carefully as I spread the foamy bubbles across it. I close my eyes and let the water run down my fac
e as I rest my head against the tile. Bryce came to my door last night after the raid’s strategy meeting I wasn’t allowed to attend, and told me that we were leaving this morning at seven.

  All I can think is that it’s happening, today. We are leading this rebellion, getting our prisoners and our homes back.

  I’m going to get my brother back.

  No matter how many times I say it to myself, I can’t believe it’s going to be true. I wonder what Eli looks like now. He was always a handsome child growing up—the kid that chased the girls and had many girlfriends by the time he was in kindergarten. It was something in his dimples, or that sly wrinkle of his nose. People adored him. I wonder how much he’s changed, how much Reed has gotten to him. I don’t know if I’m more anxious or excited.

  As soon as I’m out of the shower, I run a comb gently through my tangles and gather my hair back into a small bun at the nape of my neck. I brush my teeth and find my oldest pair of pants, figuring it’d be the best if they got ruined. I throw on a long-sleeved t-shirt and a black hoodie. Winter threatens us each day. Lately, we’ve even gotten some snow. It won’t be long before it comes knocking in a full raging winter storm.

  “Morning, Jay,” I say automatically as I find him leaning against the porch, “Did you ever go to sleep last night?”

  He laughs, “For a few hours. You don’t see him, but another guard takes my place overnight. I care for you and all, but I need some sleep too!”

  We joke as we make our way to the outer edge of the camp borders, where the group waits. Today, it looks like everyone wanted to be ready. We’re all too nervous not to be. Bryce claps his hands together as we arrive, waving everyone into a tight team circle. There are many faces I already know: Tess, Delia, Benson, Jay and Kenzie. There’s also some new ones. People I’ve seen around camp. One girl is named Emery, a barista at the coffee shop, with a curly mane of hair, large amber-colored eyes, and a serious straight line for a mouth. She’s with her little sister, Olive, who seems undoubtedly the opposite of her sister—energetic and loud, and looks practically identical despite having shorter hair and eyes that match her name.

  Across from Olive is Kai, one of Bryce’s friends. A young man probably in his mid-to-late twenties, with slanted cheekbones and jet-black hair reaching slightly past his ears. He looks around the room darkly, as if assessing whether or not he really wants to be here.

  “Alright, looks like we’re all here. Everyone ready for Operation: Infiltrate the White House?”

  He’s greeted with a dozen different cheers and battle cries, breath steaming in the crisp morning air.

  “The first part requires everyone’s participation. Everyone, Kenadee.” He spits my name like it’s a curse word.

  “Got it,” I say, nodding. I can do this. I have to for my team, to get the others back and win. He looks at me firmly, his green eyes meeting mine for the first time in days. I know he’s upset and hurt still, but I’m glad we’re making progress at least. Eye contact is a start.

  “Alright, then, let’s go. Transportation devices out!”

  “On three! One… two… three… Go!”

  I clench my eyes shut and imagine the lawn from what I saw on the map. Elaborately decorated gardens, trimmed shrubs, and endless guards. Before I know it, I feel like I’m being swept off my feet and into the air.

  I open my mouth to scream, but nothing comes out. I’m lost in a sea of air as we fly, closer and closer to our deaths.

  We’re falling, why isn’t anyone doing anything?

  I seal my eyes shut once more, no longer feeling brave enough to watch. If I’m going to die, I’m not going to watch it happen.

  I expect it to hurt, but I feel absolutely nothing as I open my eyes into the blinding sun. The trees reach high above me, shedding their russet colored leaves. One even falls onto my nose, fluttering gently in the wind.

  I groan, pulling myself up to a sitting position.

  I’m on a sidewalk, the sights and sounds of the city all around. Somewhere in the distance, sirens wail, and people mill all around us, not minding any attention to our strewn forms.

  “Bryce… they can’t see us, can they?” I ask, peering at my hands to make sure that they’re still visible.

  He pushes himself to his feet, “No. I did a cloaking spell. I figured people would probably call the authorities right away if they saw us appearing out of nowhere. They’re afraid of magic, we don’t need to call any more attention to ourselves.”

  “Good thinking, boss,” says Jay, throwing his head in the direction of the tall iron fence that separates us and the White House, “Now, what are we going to do about those guards that are comin’ towards us?”

  “I thought you said this was a cloaking spell!” I cry as several figures move in on the gates.

  He shrugs, eyes set straight ahead, “I meant for non-magic. Reed’s wizards, on the other hand… they can see us. Kenadee, you need to get the barrier down, now.”

  I don’t hesitate. My hands find the marble-smooth edge that keeps us from Reed and his world as I concentrate. Feeling the magic radiating in my fingertips, I begin to chant.

  One by one, each member of the group takes their position, ready to fight. More guards begin to appear, their radios buzzing loudly with the news. The wall doesn’t budge.

  I grit my teeth, feeling them edging closer and closer. All those weeks imprisoned took their toll—my magic falters underneath my quaking hands.

  “Why isn’t it working?!” Tess shouts. Her tiny voice is drowned out by a cascade of magic, aimed directly towards us.

  “Don’t let go!” Bryce orders, “Keep low to the ground. Be ready to fight when the barrier breaks!”

  A low crackling sound is music to my ears. A hairline fracture appears in the barrier walls underneath my fingers. “It’s working!”

  Someone down the line screams as the magic sizzles on their flesh, their body hitting the concrete with a loud thud. Somewhere inside the White House, an alarm pierces the air.

  The fracture spreads, splitting wider and wider. I nearly laugh out loud with relief as it spreads just wide enough…

  I throw my powers forward with every ounce of strength I can find. The others are flung off their feet with the force as my spell hits the crack. With a sound like breaking glass, the barrier shatters.

  We’re all up on our feet in an instant. While Jay, Benson, and Bryce position themselves in front of the guard, Delia crawls beside Kai’s crumpled form. There are red hot burns on his skin. One hand settles on his shoulder, holding him down, while the other hand spreads a salve that she’d produced from her bag. He screams and thrashes in pain as I tear my gaze away.

  Kenzie, Olive, and Emery are beside the boys in an instant, clasping hands as they begin to chant. Something slams into the back of my head as I go tumbling to the ground, momentarily plagued by stars. A female guard stands behind me and flicks her hand. I feel myself lifted off my feet, tumbling through the air. I gasp, climbing to my knees in recovery as she comes closer.

  I snap my fingers, but my magic won’t come. I swear under my breath as she takes a menacing step forward; I burnt out my powers with the barrier spell. If it weren’t for Bryce and the sedatives I’d been given in prison, I’d be fine.

  Somewhere, my friends continue to chat. Overhead, the slight breeze turns to a hurricane; their voices grow louder as the female guard glances up in horror. I take advantage of her distraction, Markus’ and Harlow’s trainings kicking me into gear. I roll away from the guard and jump to my feet, slamming into her like a football player.

  “Kenadee! Watch out!”

  I look up just in time as the whirlwind comes my way. Someone’s hands grasp my arm as they yank me out of the way.

  The guards are picked up by the wind, flung into the air like helpless rag dolls and swept into the distance. We watch it twirl right into the skyline before disappearing for good.

  Bryce glances down at me as if he just realized that he’s still clingin
g to me tightly. He lets go quickly and stumbles upward. “Who needs mind spells when you have the wind? Good thinking you three! Now come on! There’s no time to waste!”

  “Look!” We all follow Emery’s gaze to the lawn, where the sirens still shriek. A large group of guards races towards us.

  “You guys go, we got ‘em!” Jay says in a low voice.

  “Are you sure?”

  Jay just gives me a look, a small smile on his lips. “They’ll be no problem. Just go!”

  We say no more. Jay and Benson greet the guards with a sea of colliding powers as the rest of us duck out view. We rush past the fountain and across the neatly trimmed lawn before ducking behind an elm tree. The front entrance sits diagonally from where we stand, nestled behind four gigantic pillars.

  We race up the steps, reaching the front doors, where several more guards stand ready. In a single swipe, Bryce summons the bricks from their feet. They’re swept off their feet, and Bryce is instantly sending the bricks collapsing on their heads. We don’t hesitate before slipping inside and gaping at the mansion around us.

  The entrance hall of the White House is magnificent. The crystal chandelier reflects against the freshly polished marbled floors and the grand staircase is decorated in plush red carpet.

  “Alright. Group one, you’re going to the main prison. Remember, get them all back to camp as quickly as you can. We’ll all meet back there when we’re done. Group two—” he motions to me, Emery, and Olive, who stand quietly behind Tess, “You’re coming with me. We’re going on a scenic tour of the mansion. Everyone good?”

  A few yeses are thrown his way and he nods briefly, “Alright team, let’s do this.”

  We part ways, as the others rush off. Bryce waves the two sisters and me in impatiently, glancing past me to make sure there’s no one around, “Grab hands, we have to transport there.”